Theories

Table of Contents

What Are Theories?

There are a lot of theories about what a theory is, here
are just a few:

A theory provides a framework from which a coherent set
of testable theoretical principles and constructs can be
used to describe, explain, predict, or control phenomena
(Bennett & Cross, 2013).

A theory is "is an integrated and internally coherent set
of theoretical principles that provides a sufficient basis
for empirical research in which these statements can be
tested"
(Elen, J., & Clarebout, G., 2007, p. 706)

"Theories are the source of principles" (Smith & Ragan,
2005, p.18)

"a theory is an organized set of statements that allow us
to explain, predict, or control events" (Smith & Ragan,
2005, p. 23)

"Theoretical knowledge has for its end the attainment of
truth and that alone" (Wallace, 1979, p. 263).

A theory according to Hoover & Donovan (1995) is "A set
of related propositions that attempts to explain, and
sometimes to predict, a set of events" (p. 69).

"The formation of theories is not just the discovery of
hidden fact; the theory is a way of looking at the facts, or
organizing and representing them" (Kaplan, 1964, p. 308).

Four major uses of theories in social science:

Theory provides patterns for the
interpretation of data.

Theory links one study with another.

Theories supply frameworks within which concepts and
variables acquire special significance.

Theory allows us to interpret the larger meaning
of our findings for ourselves and others.

(Hoover & Donovan, 1995, p. 40)

Theories fall into one of two categories:

Descriptive

Prescriptive

(Smith & Ragan, 2005, p. 23)

Contributing Theories to
Instructional Design

This text is focused on instructional design, therefore
it is important to understand the theories that contribute
to create the whole of instructional design. The theories
that contribute to the makeup of instructional design are:
communication theory, design theory, instructional theory,
learning theory, and systems theory. Below is a brief
overview of each theory and its contribution to
instructional design. For more detailed information on each
theory click on the theory name.

Instructional design is derivative of many theories including the
following: